The State Council says social organizations related to public welfare and community services can now register directly with civil affairs departments without getting approval from the administrations of the related fields. This small adjustment actually sends the important message that the Chinese government encourages social organizations to play a bigger role in society, says an editorial in Guangzhou Daily. Excerpts:

The Chinese government has long been vigilant about social organizations, and the rules for applying to open social organizations have been complex and difficult.

However, China's remarkable economic growth is boosting the development of Chinese society, and the government finds it increasingly hard to administer society by itself. Social organizations can be helpful partners in managing social affairs, especially in the fields of environmental protection and charity.

Sometimes it is more economical for the government to buy social services from social organizations than to offer the services directly itself.

Hopefully, the civil affairs authorities will not set obstacles for social organizations' registration. And the government should also reform the financing system for social organizations and lift controls and restrictions gradually to help its important partners.

A society without well-functioning social organizations is not a healthy society.